Approximately forty percent of the attendees of The Mercury Forum remained for the final facilitated session, "Where We Go from Here" - a needs analysis discussion of possible directions and initiatives regarding methylmercury in the Northern Gulf environment. A list of 17 of recommendations was discussed and modified during the discussion. At the end of the session each person was asked to submit his or her top three recommendations so that this list of 17 recommendations could be tabulated to get a sense of priorities.
Tier one represents those most highly recommended and those in the third tier were the least frequently mentioned. The Organizing Committee recommends that several of these recommendations be combined into broader categories during implementation.

Highest Ranked:
One recommendation was selected by over 60% of those expressing a choice and thus deserves mention outside the three-tier ranking.

• Expand Gulf-wide environmental monitoring programs (inland and coastal) - Fish, sediments, plants, aquatic organisms, water, and air.

First Tier:
There were five recommendations in which 20 to 30% of the attendees chose as one of their top three recommendations.

• Health exposure study (include consumption)
• Develop mercury reduction plan
• Investigate Hg pathways and risk in the ecosystem
• Adequate funding for involved entities
• Develop a Gulf-wide risk communication and outreach program

Second Tier:
There were four recommendations in which 10 to 20% of the attendees chose as one of their top three recommendations.

• Develop standard sampling methodologies
• Develop consistent mercury advisories
• Promote unbiased research
• Develop a comprehensive data management system

Third Tier:
The final grouping contains those items that were recommended by less than 10% of those attendees submitting an opinion.

• Free/subsidized hair testing for exposure
• Investigate remediation options
• Comprehensive cost benefit and health risk analysis
• Health impact study
• Comprehensive stakeholder collaboration in agency programs
• Comprehensive inventory of current and historic mercury sources
• Product labeling